TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY
One Texas State University student is helping younger pupils get equipped with the knowledge they need to be successful in school. Maddie Lumley, a second year TXST theater education major, has been tutoring for EQPD, a nonprofit organization founded to provide every child with the tools and resources needed to achieve academic excellence, according to the website.
“I find immense joy in helping students grow, especially when they overcome challenges and finally see themselves making progress,” Lumley said.
Lumley aspires to be a high school theater teacher, so her experience as tutor will be invaluable to her future career.
“My future plans align with why I am currently a tutor,” Lumley said. “I love watching students learn and realize they can do anything they put their minds to. In the future, I plan to become a teacher, so I can continue to help spread creativity, knowledge and encouragement.” Lumley currently assists students with reading but is considering tutoring more subjects in the future. Lumley is able to touch lives across the country with this position, as most of her students live out-of-state. She decided to pursue a tutoring position after she tried it in high school and had a knack for it.
“Initially, I was interested in tutoring because I used to do it in high school for community service hours and enjoyed it. It also appealed to me because tutoring with EQPD is flexible and can work around my busy schedule,” Lumley said. “The most rewarding part about tutoring is watching students become more confident. Initially, most students seem hesitant, so it’s very rewarding to watch them improve not only in the subject but also in themselves.”
According to the website, EQPD’s main focus is the revitalization of education with high-impact tutoring, tailored professional development and efficient program management. Through their services, EQPD hopes to help students thrive academically and in life after high school, make families feel included in their children’s success, give tutors training and compensation that supports their professional aspirations, get increased Federal Work Study program involvement for students and bolster Para-Corps training for staff.
